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Friday 27 May 2016

In Trumplandia: A Mask of Power (Joseph Ceravolo: What chemicals have we forgotten?)

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World in focus — best photos for May 26, 2016

An Orange County sheriff keeps an eye on demonstrators ahead of a speech from US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Anaheim, California: photo by Mike Blake / Reuters, 26 May 2016

Joseph Ceravolo: "The morning is warm..."

                                   May 18, 1987

 
The morning is warm. A fan whirling
the air. The calm force of tiredness
shows in everyone's body
chewing, languidly talking.
What chemicals have we forgotten?

The air blows cold
down the northern corridor
the ink freezes in my fingers
no electronics can soothe love.
What chemicals have we forgotten?

Joseph Ceravolo (1934-1988): "The morning is warm..." (May 18, 1987), from Collected Poems, 2012


World in focus — best photos for May 26, 2016

Travellers move through a security checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Atlanta
: photo by David Goldman / AP, 26 May 2016


Displaced Somalis queue for aid in Beledweyne, north of Mogadishu on May 26, 2016. Hundreds of families have been forced out of their homes following flash floods in Beledweyne after torrential rains pounded the area in the last few days.The heavy rains led to the bursting of River Shabelle which caused massive floods in residential areas along the river.  / AFP PHOTO / MOHAMED ABDIWAHABMOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images

Displaced Somalis queue for aid in Beledweyne, north of Mogadishu. Hundreds of families have been forced out of their homes following flash floods in Beledweyne after torrential rains pounded the area.: photo by Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP, 26 May 2016

Displaced Somalis queue for aid in Beledweyne, north of Mogadishu on May 26, 2016. Hundreds of families have been forced out of their homes following flash floods in Beledweyne after torrential rains pounded the area in the last few days.The heavy rains led to the bursting of River Shabelle which caused massive floods in residential areas along the river.  / AFP PHOTO / MOHAMED ABDIWAHABMOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images

Displaced Somalis queue for aid in Beledweyne, north of Mogadishu. Hundreds of families have been forced out of their homes following flash floods in Beledweyne after torrential rains pounded the area.: photo by Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP, 26 May 2016

Georges Gobet/AFP

Security forces clash with demonstrators during a protest called by seven labour unions and students against the labour and employment law reform in Bordeaux, France today: photo by George Gobet/AFP, 26 May 2016

Citizens walk on the Corniche, or waterfront promenade along the Beirut coastline, Lebanon, Thursday, May 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Citizens walk on the Corniche, or waterfront promenade along the Beirut coastline, Lebanon: photo by Hassan Ammar/AP, 26 May 2016

Citizens walk on the Corniche, or waterfront promenade along the Beirut coastline, Lebanon, Thursday, May 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Citizens walk on the Corniche, or waterfront promenade along the Beirut coastline, Lebanon: photo by Hassan Ammar/AP, 26 May 2016 

TOPSHOT - Iraqi pro-government forces fire an anti-tank cannon near al-Sejar village, north-east of Fallujah, on May 25, 2016, as they take part in a major assault to retake the city from the Islamic State (IS) group. Iraqi forces, consisting of special forces, soldiers, police, paramilitary-fighters and pro-government tribesmen, launched a major assault to retake Fallujah, the scene of deadly battles during the US occupation and one of the toughest targets yet in Baghdad's war on the Islamic State group. / AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYEAHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images

Iraqi pro-government forces fire an anti-tank cannon near al-Sejar village, north-east of Fallujah as they take part in a major assault to retake the city from the Islamic State group: photo by Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP, 26 May 2016

TOPSHOT - Iraqi pro-government forces fire an anti-tank cannon near al-Sejar village, north-east of Fallujah, on May 25, 2016, as they take part in a major assault to retake the city from the Islamic State (IS) group. Iraqi forces, consisting of special forces, soldiers, police, paramilitary-fighters and pro-government tribesmen, launched a major assault to retake Fallujah, the scene of deadly battles during the US occupation and one of the toughest targets yet in Baghdad's war on the Islamic State group. / AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYEAHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images

Iraqi pro-government forces fire an anti-tank cannon near al-Sejar village, north-east of Fallujah as they take part in a major assault to retake the city from the Islamic State group: photo by Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP, 26 May 2016

Orange County Sheriff's deputies take a protester into custody outside the Anaheim Convention Center where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally

Orange County Sheriff’s deputies take a protester into custody outside the Anaheim Convention Center where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally: photo by Jae C. Hong, 26 May 2016

Orange County Sheriff's deputies take a protester into custody outside the Anaheim Convention Center where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally

Orange County Sheriff’s deputies take a protester into custody outside the Anaheim Convention Center where Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally: photo by Jae C. Hong, 26 May 2016
 
World in focus — best photos for May 26, 2016

A Japanese police officer waits for the motorcade transporting US President Barack Obama to drive past near Shima, Japan
: photo by Carlos Barria / Reuters, 26 May 2016


EU Referendum

Boris Johnson is surrounded by Vote Leave and Vote Remain activists as he speaks in Winchester, as part of his tour on the Vote Leave campaign bus: photo by Dominic Lipinski/PA, 26 May 2016

EU Referendum

Boris Johnson is surrounded by Vote Leave and Vote Remain activists as he speaks in Winchester, as part of his tour on the Vote Leave campaign bus: photo by Dominic Lipinski/PA, 26 May 2016

House of Representatives and Senate tribunal staff prepare the tally board during the presidential and vice-presidential canvassing of votes at the session hall of House of Representatives in Manila on May 25, 2016.  Incoming Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has launched a series of obscenity-filled attacks on the Catholic Church, branding local bishops corrupt "sons of whores" who are to be blamed for the nation's fast-growing population. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELISNOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty Images

House of Representatives and Senate tribunal staff prepare the tally board during the presidential and vice-presidential canvassing of votes at the session hall of House of Representatives in Manila: photo by Noel Celis/AFP 24 May 2016

House of Representatives and Senate tribunal staff prepare the tally board during the presidential and vice-presidential canvassing of votes at the session hall of House of Representatives in Manila on May 25, 2016.  Incoming Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has launched a series of obscenity-filled attacks on the Catholic Church, branding local bishops corrupt "sons of whores" who are to be blamed for the nation's fast-growing population. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELISNOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty Images

House of Representatives and Senate tribunal staff prepare the tally board during the presidential and vice-presidential canvassing of votes at the session hall of House of Representatives in Manila: photo by Noel Celis/AFP 24 May 2016

epa05324583 US President Barack Obama (C-L) and Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang (C-R) review an honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, 23 May 2016. US President Barack Obama visits Vietnam for the first time from 23 to 25 May 2016, making him the third US President to visit the South East Asian country since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. During the first day of his visit Obama announced that the US will lift its arms embargo on weapon sales to Vietnam.  EPA/MINH HOANG 
US President Barack Obama (C-L) and Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang (C-R) review an honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam: photo by Minh Hoang/EPA, 23 May 2016

epa05324583 US President Barack Obama (C-L) and Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang (C-R) review an honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, 23 May 2016. US President Barack Obama visits Vietnam for the first time from 23 to 25 May 2016, making him the third US President to visit the South East Asian country since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. During the first day of his visit Obama announced that the US will lift its arms embargo on weapon sales to Vietnam.  EPA/MINH HOANG

US President Barack Obama (C-L) and Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang (C-R) review an honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam: photo by Minh Hoang/EPA, 23 May 2016

TOPSHOT - US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during a rally at Santa Monica High School Football Field in Santa Monica, California, on May 23, 2016. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton on May 23 rejected an invitation to take part in a final campaign debate against her rival Bernie Sanders, her campaign said. / AFP PHOTO / Ringo ChiuRINGO CHIU/AFP/Getty Images
 
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during a rally at Santa Monica High School Football Field in Santa Monica, California: photo by Ringo Chiu/AFP, 24 May 2016

TOPSHOT - US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during a rally at Santa Monica High School Football Field in Santa Monica, California, on May 23, 2016. Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton on May 23 rejected an invitation to take part in a final campaign debate against her rival Bernie Sanders, her campaign said. / AFP PHOTO / Ringo ChiuRINGO CHIU/AFP/Getty Images

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during a rally at Santa Monica High School Football Field in Santa Monica, California: photo by Ringo Chiu/AFP, 24 May 2016

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Paris, France - 23/05/16  An illustration photo shows a tennis ball which drops into water during rainfall. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier 
A tennis ball bounces in the rain during The French Open, Roland Garros, Paris: photo by Benoit Tessier/Reuters, 23 May 2016

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros - Paris, France - 23/05/16  An illustration photo shows a tennis ball which drops into water during rainfall. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

A tennis ball bounces in the rain during The French Open, Roland Garros, Paris: photo by Benoit Tessier/Reuters, 23 May 2016

World in focus — best photos for May 26, 2016

People seen through a train’s windows on the Washington DC metro
: photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP, 26 May 2016

 
Expandable space habitat fails to inflate in NASA's first test: image via Reuters Tech News #ReutersTech, 27 May 2016

 
Clinton says State Department emails report won't affect campaign: MSNBC: image via Reuters Top News @Reuters, 27 May 2016 
 
In Trumplandia: What chemicals have we forgotten? 

 
Even though sales are neck and neck at the moment, there's no masking the facts. This Chinese factory is expecting a Donald Trump victory over his likely U.S. presidential rival Hillary Clinton — and it's already churning out the costumes. Photo via @ReutersUS: image via Reuters Top News @Reuters, 27 May 2016

 
This Chinese mask factory is betting on a Trump victory over Clinton: image via Reuters Pictures Verified account @reuterspictures, 27 May 2016

 
This Chinese mask factory is betting on a Trump victory over Clinton: image via Reuters Pictures Verified account @reuterspictures, 27 May 2016


This Chinese mask factory is betting on a Trump victory over Clinton: image via Reuters Pictures Verified account @reuterspictures, 27 May 2016

 
There's no masking Trump's popularity at this Chinese party business: image via Reuters World Verified account @ReutersWorld, 27 May 2016 

 
There's no masking Trump's popularity at this Chinese party business: image via Reuters World Verified account @ReutersWorld, 27 May 2016

 
There's no masking Trump's popularity at this Chinese party business: image via Reuters World Verified account @ReutersWorld, 27 May 2016



 This Chinese factory expects a Trump victory -- and they're getting ready: image via Reuters U.S. News Verified account @ReutersUS, 27 May 2016


 This Chinese factory expects a Trump victory -- and they're getting ready: image via Reuters U.S. News Verified account @ReutersUS, 27 May 2016

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Topeng_Bali.jpg

Various Balinese Topeng (dance masks), Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta
: photo by Gunawan Kartapranata, 2009


There is an unconscious propriety in the way in which, in all European languages, the word person is commonly used to denote a human being. The real meaning of persona is a mask, such as actors were accustomed to wear on the ancient stage; and it is quite true that no one shows himself as he is, but wears his mask and plays his part. Indeed, the whole of our social arrangements may be likened to a perpetual comedy; and this is why a man who is worth anything finds society so insipid, while a blockhead is quite at home in it.

Arthur Schopenhauer: Psychological Observations, from Studies in Pessimism in Parerga und Paralipomena, 1851 (translated by Thomas Bailey Saunders)
 
 Zina Saro-Wiwa: The Invisible Man, 2015: image via Trestle Mask Makers @Trestle_Masks, 10 May 2016

Voted! Not in the mask. It was added afterwards. #KYPrimary #GoVoteKY #Fridaythe13th #mask: image via Carl @BrainOfBlood, 17 May 2016 

File:Bodiemask.jpg

Mask found in window of Bodie, California ghost town school house: photo by Tahoenathan, 2009


File:First aid masks for CPR training.jpg

Masks in showcase of first aid supplies shop, Berlin: photo by Till Krech, 2006


MaskTV: photo by James Reynolds, 2006

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Mictlantecuhtli_2.jpg

 Mictlantecuhtli, god of the dead
: Aztec, sculptor unknown
; photo by Jamie Dwyer, 19 August 2008 (Museum of the Templo Mayor, Mexico City)
 
Joseph Ceravolo: Koyannisqatsi

                                   April 8, 1987

 
A dog walks the master
among the big trees of the little city,
a dog walks his master in sun.
The trot of the wolf
walks inside the dog. Happiness
lights its eyes aslant with anxiety.

A building collapses while
an explosion blows the night
apart. A master takes a slave,
a monk converts an Inca
in the breathless night of America.
Scientific language breaks apart

in the saliva of the mouth.

Joseph Ceravolo (1934-1988): Koyannisqatsi (April 8, 1987), from Collected Poems, 2012

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/MictlantecuhtliTemploMayor_B.jpg

 Mictlantecuhtli, god of the dead and king of Mictlan (Chicunauhmictlan), lowest and northernmost section of the underworld
: Aztec, sculptor unknown, recovered during excavation of the House of Eagles in the Templo Mayor: photo by Thelmadatter, 23 March 2008 (Museum of the Templo Mayor, Mexico City)

 
File:Hirst-Love-Of-God.jpg

For the Love of God
: sculpture by Damien Hirst, 2007, platinum cast of a human skull covered with 8,601 diamonds; displayed at White Cube Gallery, London, asking price 50 million pounds: photographer unknown, via Daily Telegraph


File:Máscara de Xiuhtecuhtli Cultura Azteza-Mixteca Ars Summum.JPG

Máscara de Xiuhtecuhtli: representation of Xiuhtecuhtli (Lord Turquoise), Central Mexican god of fire: Mixtec-Aztec, c. 1400-1521, mosaic of turquoise inlay and other materials; photo by Manuel Parada López de Corselas, 2007 (British Museum, London)

KKK rally in Anaheim
 
Ku Klux Klan rally in Anaheim erupts in violence: photo by Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times, 27 February 2016

Ku Klux Klan rally
 
Paramedics tend to a protester who was stabbed during the KKK rally in Anaheim. Many people at the park were demanding to know why police did not have a larger presence at the scene before the violence broke out.: photo by Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times, 27 February 2016

. Miami-based Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, left, asks Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump a question about his immigration proposal during a news conference, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. Ramos was later taken from the room. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Miami-based Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, left, asks Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump a question about his immigration proposal during a news conference Tuesday in Dubuque, Iowa. Ramos was later taken from the room
: photo by Charlie Niebergall/AP, 25 August 2015

. A security guard for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump removes Miami-based Univision anchor Jorge Ramos from a news conference, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. Ramos stood up and began to ask Trump about his immigration proposal. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) 

 A security guard for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump removes Miami-based Univision anchor Jorge Ramos from a news conference Tuesday in Dubuque, Iowa. Ramos stood up and began to ask Trump about his immigration proposal: photo by Charlie Niebergall/AP, 25 August 2015

. A security guard for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump removes Miami-based Univision anchor Jorge Ramos from a news conference, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. Ramos stood up and began to ask Trump about his immigration proposal. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
 
A security guard for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump removes Miami-based Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, left, from a news conference Tuesday in Dubuque, Iowa. Ramos stood up and began to ask Trump about his immigration proposal: photo by Charlie Niebergall/AP, 25 August 2015

Trumplandia es el horror -- Jorge Ramos

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks to reporters after arriving for a visit to the U.S. Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, Thursday, July 23, 2015. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks to reporters after arriving for a visit to the U.S. Mexico border in Laredo, Texas
: photo by LM Otero/AP, 23 July 2015 


Lightning from a severe storm fills the sky behind a grain elevator in Belvue, Kan., Wednesday, May 25, 2016. The storm produced tornadoes near Chapman, Kan. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Lightning from a severe storm fills the sky behind a grain elevator in Belvue, Kansas: photo by Orlin Wagner/AP, 26 May 2016

Lightning from a severe storm fills the sky behind a grain elevator in Belvue, Kan., Wednesday, May 25, 2016. The storm produced tornadoes near Chapman, Kan. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Lightning from a severe storm fills the sky behind a grain elevator in Belvue, Kansas: photo by Orlin Wagner/AP, 26 May 2016

4 comments:

TC said...

Joy Division: Disorder (live)

TC said...

I've been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand,
Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?

Mose23 said...

It's a curious thing that what makes both Boris and Donald compelling figures is the wild aura of grotesquerie about them. Both of them born with masks.

"no electronics can soothe love"

Ceravolo always brings us back to the body as tender, needing and giving kindness: "the pleasures of a normal man".

You've given a glimpse of the space between the mask and the trembling face. Thank you, Tom

TC said...

Many thanks, Duncan.

Yes, and odd how natural it should seem that Trump and Boris would fall into one another's latex arms, and our horrified laps, at "a time like this".

"... and it is quite true that no one shows himself as he is, but wears his mask and plays his part. Indeed, the whole of our social arrangements may be likened to a perpetual comedy; and this is why a man who is worth anything finds society so insipid, while a blockhead is quite at home in it."